Meet SUUVI | Cellist, Producer, Activist, and Interdisciplinary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with SUUVI and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi SUUVI, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I grew up in a family of artists. My father was a cellist and luthier, and my grandmother was a painter, so music and art were part of my upbringing from birth- the day I came home from the hospital as a newborn baby, the first thing my father did was play the cello for me. Growing up, I spent nearly all my time in my father’s workshop or grandmother’s studio. There are photos of me chiseling wood, drawing, and playing instruments as early as my toddler years!

I started taking formal cello lessons at age two and eventually got accepted to Juilliard when I was ten, where I majored in cello and minored in composition (I also play piano). I think this was the point at which I first recognized that this would be my career and began thinking of it as a professional endeavor. Despite also studying art at MoMa (NY), film at Columbia, and acting at Juilliard, music was somehow always the foremost focus for me for the earlier stages of my career. It’s only now in the last few years that I’ve found a way to integrate my passion for visual art, storytelling, design, and more into a truly interdisciplinary arts career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my life and career is that nothing ever goes exactly according to plan, so being rigidly married to a specific path or outcome is the surest guarantee of unhappiness. I have always had strong goals for myself, but I’ve coupled my ambition and drive with a high level of comfort for the unknown, spontaneity, and flexibility. This has always set me apart from most classically trained musicians because I’ve always welcomed change and adaptability and been able to pivot and see opportunities where most people don’t. I once remember a colleague telling me that there were only four paths you could have as a cellist: soloist, orchestra/chamber musician, studio session player, or teacher.

I’ve built a unique career that allows me to perform and record in traditional settings, as well as work alongside brands and organizations in industries such as fashion, food and beverage, hospitality, travel, fine art, and more. I’m also a producer and consultant and serve as an ambassador and board member for various nonprofit organizations. However, my strongest passions are advocacy and storytelling, and I always aim to do whatever I can through my work to bring light and support to issues in our society so that we can build a better world around us. I’m always most proud of my projects that benefit my community and those in need, and I hope to be increasingly able to devote my time to philanthropy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hiking! I’m originally a New Yorker at heart and completely obsessed with the nature in Los Angeles. I try to get a hike in at least once a week (Runyon and Griffith Park are two of my favorites) and still get excited about the fact that I’m surrounded by sun and palm trees in the middle of the winter here. I’m also a huge foodie and make it a point to find and introduce my friends to my favorite spots in the city. For coffee: Alchemist, Solid Coffee Roasters, and Alfred. Brunch: The Butcher’s Daughter, Great White, Gjusta, or Breadblok (gluten-free!). Dinner: Market Venice, Animal, Crossroads, Majordomo, Night + Market, Little Sister. For quick bites and juices/smoothies: Courage Bagels, Juice Crafters, Moon Juice, Nonna’s Empanadas, Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada.

I’m a big fan of LACMA, The Hammer, The Broad, and all the galleries down in the Arts District (start at The Box and Hauser & Wirth). Of course, it’s totally cliché, but walking the beach along the Venice Canals and Santa Monica Pier is gorgeous too. Los Feliz is a fun neighborhood I love to hang out in as well. Start at Fred 62 and walk around the neighborhood toward Skylight Books- there are so many cute spots along the way!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I recently turned 27 and had a huge realization about the definition of “wealth”. The major lesson and breakthrough that hit me around my birthday were that this word has different definitions that go far beyond the typical connotations it summons. Sure, there is monetary wealth, but there is also wealth of knowledge, talent, kindness, experience, and so on.

One area in my life in which I KNOW I am tremendously wealthy is friendship. I feel so grateful to have truly amazing people in my life who both support me and call me out on my bs when I’m not at my best. This is how you know you have TRUE friends- they’re willing to confront and challenge you when your actions and behavior are not as stellar as they know they could be, which is how you grow! I want to dedicate my shoutout to my tremendous friends who love me, are there for me, and push me to improve. You know who you are! <3

Website: www.callmesuuvi.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/callmesuuvi

Facebook: facebook.com/sophiabacelar

Youtube: youtube.com/sophiabacelar